Arsenal signing Rodriguez would bring both rewards and ramifications

Arsenal could be in line to pull off the deal of the January transfer window with the north London club reportedly eyeing up a bargain move for James Rodriguez.

According to the Daily Mail, Rodriguez, who is into the final six months of his two-year loan spell with Bayern Munich, could spend the rest of his loan at Arsenal should they pay the remaining £3m the German giants are due to pay the Colombian’s parent club Real Madrid.

Rodriguez has fallen out of favour at the Allianz Arena following the appointment of Niko Kovac as Bayern Munich manager, making a move to the Gunners one worth considering for the 27-year-old.

From an Arsenal perspective, though, what are the possible pros and cons that could come with signing the Bayern Munich man?

Pro — Creativity

For as good as Arsenal can be going forward thanks to the firepower they have up front in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, they are not a team blessed with tonnes of creativity, something that showed in their recent 1-0 Premier League defeat to West Ham.

That, however, is a problem that would easily be fixed by having a player of Rodriguez’s profile in the starting XI.

From the No.10 position, on his day, there are few better when it comes to disrupting opposition backlines.

Con — The End Of Mesut Ozil?

The German is no longer one of the first names on the teamsheet, and the addition of Rodriguez would do nothing to change that.

Ultimately, it is hard to see how Ozil and Rodriguez could coexist in the same team under Emery, making an exit for the former seem even more likely, which would come as a disappointment to supporters who absolutely adore the ex-Germany international.

Pro — Faith In Emery

Looking at the bigger picture of things, signing Rodriguez and allowing the sale of Ozil would be a massive statement in regards to the Arsenal hierarchy backing Emery.

A lot of Gooners have asked for patience and for the club to back their manager. Getting rid of one of the team’s star players, who Emery clearly does not fancy, would show exactly that.

Con — Not A Natural Fit

The obvious issue that would come with signing Rodriguez is where exactly is he going to play?

The Colombia international is most effective when he is deployed in the No.10 role, a position that is not always available with Emery often using formations without it.